Wichita eagle., 1887-11-26

tired, turning at the threshold TO LOOK al me,
having a pretty smile Of mischief. Shortly
afterward the elder damsel rsappeared,
bringing sherbet I thanked her, and she
bowed and withdrew.
Then the host followed to announce that
supper was ready; inquiring whether l had
been properly attended to- he led me to a
lower room. remarkirg that he thought l
should be better able to enjoy my repast
without his presence, but that he hoped in
the evening to converse with me.
During the supper was waited On by both
the fair maidens, who brought me in success
sion a number OF savory dishes, with fruit
and sweets of AL kinds, for which the Turks
are famous partook of everything largely,
to the evident amusement and pleasure Of the
maidens The elder was no longer so demure
in her manner, and the eyes of the younger
sparllled with fun as she waited on me; but l
refrained from conversation further than to
thank them now and then, saying ever to
myself, "My host says | am an honorable
man." but l fear my looks betrayed my ad-
miration.
After supper the hey conducted me to my
apartment, where coffee was brought by the
damsels, both of whom, learnt, were his
L csSoA W tLO DS1 my wal LA
est thanks for his hospitality, and for the
great confidence he had shown by admitting
me among his family. Upon this he said he
would relate why he had broken through the
Mahometan custom and usages and hidden
me welcome In his haren. He was fulfilling
a VOW made years ago, that whenever he had
an opportunity he would endeavor to give
proof of his gratitude for kindness received
from the captain Of British merchant vessel.
when l was a young man," continued the
bey "before ] was married, l went on a pill
grimage TO Mecca. On my return / en-
barkei from Alexandria OF Turkish vessel
bound to Constantinople. We encountered
heavy gale; the vessel vas old and rotten;
leaks were sprung, and the captain, crew and
myself, who was the only passenger, had
barely time to get into the ships boat, when
the vessel sunk. l loss all my clothes ard
money, with the exception Of few piasters
We expected every moment the boat would
be swamped by the heavy seas breaking
around US, when ship hove i'll sight. Sig
nals of distress were made, and she came to
our assistance, and we were all taken safely
on board. She proved to be sn English YES
sci bound for Salonica. The captain, a kind
hearted but rough looking sailor, gave US dry
clothes, and dressed me in a warm suit of his
own and supplied US with food.
ave arrived at Salonica, and I was ena-
bled, through the Pratiqus master, who I'M
derstood little English, to express my graf
ituds. | offered to pay for my passage and
food. The captain was indignant, and said
he would not accept farthing; but, on the
contrary, having learned that l had no
money to continue my voyage and had no
friends at Sslonica, put a small SUM into nay
hands which would enable me to proceed TO
Constantinople.
"You," he continued, "are the first Eng
lishman to whom | have had an opportunity
Of showing feelings OF gratitude long pent up
to your couatryman who saved my life"
then told him that | was one of the secre-
taries Of tRe British embassy at CONSTANT
nople, and what had been the object Of my
visit to -. l said 1 should make known to
the great nchee" his hospitality and kind
ness. He again impressed upon lie his anx-
ious wish that ! should keep nay reception in
his household secret, and above all the fact
that bad been waited on by his daughters,
for he said it would be serious matter if this
was known to his co religionists; but he con-
scented that should let the ambassador know
cenfidsntially all that he'd happened; but TO
my Turkish friends ct CorstanJnople |
should mention only that l and my servant
h&d received shelter for Ie night III his farm
yard. he also requested me not to tell the
Greek l had seen any women in the house
AT sunrise next day ! was up, and going
into the court yard gave directions to my
servant to have tho horses ready for a start
as soon as / had breakfasted. He informed
me that he had been well taken care o. !
gave the Greek several gold piasters which
directed should bs distributed among tho do
pendents of the hey. He informed me that be
had learned from the old sstehesper the hey
had only one wife, and no other inmates of
the harem except his two daughters and
some black slaves A good breakfast was
ready for me as l re-entersd the house, end
again the pretty damsels waited On me with
out the presence of their father; and though
l had loEt my heart ct was an easy matter in
those days to the blue eyed little maiden, |
refrainsd from saying more than expressions
of thanks in the most polite Turkish, keepin 9
steadfsstly in mind that an English gentle
man is an honorable man."
On going away the hey accompanied me to
the door, and while / reiterated nv warnest
thanks he put into my hand little sealed
packet observing "You will pardon me for
returning the handsome 'bakshce.h' YOU had
directed the Greek 10 distribute among my
dependents The latter have made known
and returned to me what they had received
l shall reward them, bat cannot allow that
you should do So 1t would have given me, -
he added, great pain if they had retained the
money, and it would have deprived me Of the
pleasure and satisfaction / have felt in well
coming al Englishmau 10 my house" ! said
not n word, and put the money into my
pocket. As left the house | could not help
looking back as long as the lattice windows
were ia sight, and thought saw bright eyes
peering out st the parting guest; but / re-
Trained from waving my hand or hanGkcr,
chief.
Sir Strstford Canning, to whom | related
this adventure confdeutinlly on nv arrival
made known to the porte that / had received
hospitality and great kindness from this bey
when benishted on my way from -, and
expressed hope that the porte would in
some suitable form mark approval Of such
kindness shown TO a member of the embassy.
His excellency also made known the result OF
my inquiry into the conduct of the pacha and
consul.
The Turkish governments announced their
satisfaction and thanks for the report had
presented, through tho ambassador, giving
the result of my inquiry into she conduct OF
pacha and consul and sent TO his e1cel!ency
a sultan's "berst" or edict placing The boy
under the special protection Of the porte and
% mis- imperial majesty, and recommending
him TO the good Offices OF the pacha and other
officials
forwarded the sultan's bernt in letter to
the hey; but, alas ! could not send the ms
sages should have wished to have dome 10
Fstima and the "Dilberry' tbeart robberl,
Aveshs.-Slr J. Drummond Hay In Murray